Feeling as though you lack abilities or skills can be disheartening. The good news is that you probably possess more talents than you realise. Even better, a large number of jobs exist that only require a basic level of skill. With that, regardless of your ability level, there is undoubtedly a job out there for you.
Are you ready to find out more about career options that do not require any specific skills? Below is a list of some excellent choices. However, I’ll go over a few useful examples of practical skills.
It’s all too easy to assume you lack abilities if you don’t have a particular set of skills. However, that’s completely untrue in most cases! You probably possess at least one talent that could help you get a job right now.
Examples of practical skills
Now, let’s talk about some practical skills. Among the abilities in your toolkit that you might not have realised are:
- Paying close attention to detail
- Being able to drive a vehicle
- Effective time management
- Keeping a tidy environment
- Being able to cook
- Being able to communicate
- Taking care of someone else, children, or a pet
You should know that these are just a few examples of practical skills; you probably possess many more. It’s a basic truth of life that you gain talents as you go through it. It’s possible that you haven’t developed a highly specialised skill in a competitive industry, but that doesn’t mean you lack any skills at all.
The ability to learn is already a skill. So, take a moment to identify the skills you currently possess. Then, look through the list below to find a job that suits your skills and requirements.
Even if you believe that you lack abilities, you can still get a job.
It can be tough to start a job search if you think “I have no skills or talents”. Hopefully, though, you’ve come to the realisation that you possess at least one testable skill. Even if the skill is only the desire to work hard and learn skills on the job.
These are some jobs that require a basic level of skill that you might be able to get. However, it’s important to note that every job on this list is important. And with that, a healthy dose of optimism and a few basic skills are required.
1. A Customer Service Representative
A career as a customer service representative can be ideal for you if you are considerate and have good listening skills. Many businesses require that you complete mandatory training on their specific products. But generally speaking, you’ll need to be willing to help the person on the other end of the call and have a positive attitude.
The company you work for will determine how much you can earn at an hourly rate. However, you should be prepared to find jobs paying between £13 and £16 per hour.
2. A Rideshare Driver
Rideshare drivers help passengers get around town. You’ll need a personal vehicle. But these ridesharing options can be beneficial if you make use of them. A rideshare driver earns £25,427 a year! Start by using services like Lyft or Uber.
Give careful thought to the insurance requirements that you might face in your role as a rideshare driver. Make sure that in your specific location, the costs outweigh the benefits.
3. Retail Sales Assistant
One of those jobs where you can learn on the job even if you don’t have any skills is retail work. You can work in a variety of retail settings, such as the product and service industries. All you have to do is be willing to learn, patient, and helpful.
When you work in retail, employee discounts are often offered. However, you should always factor your purchases into your budget! The average hourly wage in retail is £9, plus any commission if your sales are commission-based.
4. Home Health Aide
A home health aide assists elderly people with daily household tasks. The biggest requirement for becoming a home health aide is having a kind heart and being willing to help out, although you might need to obtain a certification.
Your location will determine how much you can earn. However, you should budget for a salary of £8 to £10 per hour.
5. Personal Assistant
You might be a great administrative assistant if you have a talent for keeping things organised in your life. You would deal with scheduling, paperwork, phone calls, and other tasks in this role. You might also have different job responsibilities, depending on the company.
As an administrative assistant, your hourly wage might be around £11.
6. A Dog Walker
As a dog walker, you’ll need integrity and reliability. Also, be comfortable around dogs. You can start this gig through word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family. Or, you can choose to use a platform like Rover to reach a wider audience with your services.
You can earn an hourly wage of around £11 walking Fido in addition to having a great time!
7. A Data Entry Clerk
A data entry clerk is responsible for processing data or entering and updating data in a computer system. Even if you are not skilled in data entry, you can still learn on the job in this role. £12.67 is the average salary for data entry.
8. Babysitter
A babysitter plays a vital role in ensuring the happiness and safety of children while their parents are away. It’s a big responsibility, but you might be just the person we’re looking for!
What you’ll need:
- Trustworthiness and reliability: This goes without saying. Parents need to know their children are in safe hands.
- A keen eye: Keeping a watchful eye on the little ones is essential.
- A bag full of fun: Being able to keep the children entertained with games and activities will make their evening fly by.
Where to find work:
Websites like Care.com are a great place to start your search for babysitting jobs in the UK. Average rates for babysitters here typically fall around £12 per hour.
9. Cleaning Homes
Although cleaning homes is not a glamorous job, if you have managed to keep your own living space reasonably tidy, you probably know exactly how to give a space a thorough clean. The average wage for a house cleaner is about £9 per hour, and people want to hire trustworthy, honest cleaners who provide a thorough service.
10. Warehouse Operative
Working on a loading dock could be a good fit for you if you have good upper body strength and are in reasonable physical condition. Although these positions often involve a great deal of manual labour, many businesses are constantly looking for extra help. You can expect to earn anywhere between £12 and £15 per hour.
11. Food Delivery
The number of options for food delivery has grown in recent years. Food delivery is a flexible side hustle that requires no experience if you’re willing to put in the effort. If you live somewhere where you can deliver food by bike or on foot, you might not even need a car.
Consider using Deliveroo and Uber Eats as a couple of possibilities. If you plan to drive, take a moment to make sure that, after fuel and insurance, the numbers work out in your favour.
12. Construction Worker
Construction workers assist in all areas of building projects. In some roles, they may be responsible for maintaining machinery such as generators, pumps, compressors, and more. Although these jobs involve long and demanding hours, the hourly wage range for these positions is £11 to £15.
13. Doorperson
A doorperson is responsible for opening doors, receiving deliveries, and vetting uninvited guests. Depending on the building, you may also be assigned additional tasks such as carrying luggage or calling a taxi. The average wage for a doorperson is £11.50 per hour, but knowledgeable customers are likely to leave generous tips throughout the day.
Skills You Should Acquire to Expand or Enhance Your Skill Set
Certain skills will be useful regardless of whether you decide to apply for any of the positions on this list or go down a different path. Here’s a brief overview of some more examples of transferable skills to help you in your job search.
Computer Fundamentals
Nowadays, a large number of professions involve using computers in one way or another. If you can’t use a computer, that can be a major drawback for some employers. Given this, learning how to use a computer effectively is worthwhile.
If you’re not sure where to start, you could consider taking a basic computing course on Udemy. If you need in-person support, you can also visit your local library. Many libraries have computers available where a librarian can answer your questions.
Develop Your Communication Skills
Every job requires some level of communication skills. Strong communication skills can make you stand out anywhere, even in roles where communication is not as critical as it is in others.
There are plenty of resources available on Udemy and LinkedIn to help you become an expert communicator.
Have an Open Mind and Willingness to Learn
An openness to learning is one of the most unexpected examples of transferable skills. Any job will require you to be willing to learn new skills to perform the duties to the highest standard.
You’ll have a much better chance of succeeding in a particular job if you are eager to learn. From there, you can continue to develop your skills as you progress in your career.
Remember Your Finances
Understanding the basics of your finances before taking on any job will help you stay on top of things. You’ll know what kind of pay will work for you if you know what you need to earn to live the life you want. Additionally, you can create a budget to help you make the most of your newly acquired income.
Discover a Career You Love and Stop Telling Yourself You Lack Skills!
The illusion that “I have no skills or talents” can be seductive. Hopefully, though, you’ve come to the realisation that you do have some marketable skills. Additionally, you might be open to picking up new skills to take advantage of new opportunities. As you widen the scope of your job search, don’t be afraid to try new things.